The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-02-05

the baskets. This done, they sur
rounded the table, standing, it being
too high to admit of seats, and mer
rily devoted themselves to the luxu-
rious repast.
Rose had accepted the arm of Alick
Stone, the son and partner of the
village lawyer. John had offered his
to pretty blonde in blue. whose
waxpn face and lily hands were sup
posed to have attracted the sturdy
young farmer. 1t so happened that
the brother and sister were side by
side, midway of the table and oppO-
site them stood Nellie Frost and Fred
EvartS-he devoting himself to her
with all the gaIlantry imaginable.
Rose tried not to see them for de.
suite her efforts at selfcontroI, her
CHEEKS wouid flush crimson and her
eyes fill with hot tears whenever she
glanced that way.
Nellie seemed lovelier than ever
before, and Fred had never looded so
handsome. How it happened she
could not tell, but so it was, that
whenever Rose glanced toward them
she met Fred'5 gaze, luIl Of pleading,
while Nplie's eyes were downcas,.
As for John he looked at Fred with
cold, quiet scorn, and tried to look at
Nellie in the same way; but some
how he couldn't meet her eye. So
he stored up in his bosom his un.
spoken diSdain and pretended to be
deeply interested in the pretty little
bit of feminity beside him.
A last, when the last of the gay
supper had been slowed away in the
vacant managers, the carpenters bench
carried back to its place, the lanterns
retrinmed and the floor freshly
swept, Old Uncle Dye, the blind vii
lAge minstrel, tuned his well worn
fiddle while the sets were being form
ed for the dance. Rose refused to join
them. Glancing around she had just
seen Fred and Nellie standing apart
from the others and talking earnestly,
his noble head bowed that he might
catch the low, soft tone of her voice.
Alick Stone, seeing The peachy bloom
Of her cheek turn to ashen white, ex-
claimed:
"Are you not well. Miss Rossiter!
Can't | do something for you?"
please take me to the house." she
said, quietly. "l'll be better soon"
1t was hut short distance, and
when they reached the door she sent
him back to join the dancers, begging
him not to mention her indispo5ilion,
and asking him to return for her at
the end of half an hour.
When he was gone she flew to the
parlor, and throwing herself On her
knees beside the sofa, gave vent to
Hood of tears, and tried, between her
sObs, to pray. The house was entire.
ly deserted, even Btbie jamie hay
ing been carried to the scene of mirth.
Unrestrained, her heart poured forth
its f'rYrnt prayer; cry for grace, to
endure, for strength to bear; an APP
peal for comfort, for peace,
Suddenly but softly and gently, she
was encircled by the arms of one
kneeling beside her. She knew be
fore raising her head that it was Fred
Evarts. For one instant she suffered
the clasp of his arms.
The next, she sprang from his en-
brace as from the tolls of a serpent,
and stood confronting him with in
dignation flashing from her ewes.
Don't Rose, don't look at me in
that way" he cried, impetuously.
20, Bose. let me come near you. Tell
me what grieves you, and let me COM
fort you"
YOU" she said, her form diIating.
her voice quivering with scorn.
"And why not? Tell me, Rose.
why should / not. Did you think"
1T matters not what | thought"
but it does matter. l love you,
Rose. | thought felt-I believed
that you loved me in return. You
can, at least, listen to me"
She had turned to leave the room,
but he caught her in his arms and
held her close against his heart.
"Rose," he cried. with broken
voice, Rose, forgive mel cannot
let you go. You must listen to me.
| love you. 1 want you for my
own"
She made no reply, but was so still
in his arms that for an instant he
held her away to see if she breathed.
The look he saw in her eyes was all
the answer he needed.
"But-NeIIie Frost?" she said,
timidly, when few sacred, silent
moments passed.
"Nellie Frost. What about Nellie
Frost, my sweet Rose?"